FMU improves to 8-2 overall and 4-1 in the Peach Belt and captures its first win over a Top-10 opponent in 25 years, dating back to a 69-60 victory over sixth-ranked USC Spartanburg on Jan. 19, 1994. USCA (12-1, 6-1) entered Wednesday's contest as one of only six unbeaten squads remaining in NCAA Division II.

The Patriots now take to the road for a pair of contests, beginning with a Saturday afternoon tilt (3:30 p.m.) at Clayton State University. The next home game for FMU will be Jan. 19 against Georgia Southwestern State University at 3:30 p.m.

Parker's total was only two shy of his career high, while he pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds. Senior Ryan Davis scored 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-4 from behind the arc. He also pulled down nine rebounds as the Patriots enjoyed a 50-38 advantage on the boards.

The Patriots used their rebounding edge to secure a 21-5 edge in second-chance points.

Francis Marion erased a 20-14 first-half deficit with a 16-0 run that featured a pair of three-pointers each by Parker and Hill. FMU led by 13 at 45-32 after a three-pointer by Perry before the Patriots settled for a 46-34 lead at halftime.

FMU led by nine at 60-51 with 12:56 remaining. A 10-1 spurt by the Pacers knotted the contest at 61-61 with 11:13 left after a three-pointer by Myles Washington. With the score tied at 64-64, Parker nailed a three-pointer and the Patriots would eventually lead 84-75 with 3:52 on the clock.

Again the Pacers rallied, this time with an 11-2 run to deadlock the game at 86-86 after a fast-break three-point bucket by Barmore at the 1:37 mark. On the next trip down the floor, Perry grabbed an offensive rebound, was fouled, and hit two free throws giving FMU the lead for good at 88-86. Parker came up with a steal on the ensuing possession and he began his march to the free throw stripe, making a perfect 10-of-10 over the final 1:12, and left the home crowd of 1,214 roaring its approval as the final horn sounded.

Francis Marion shot 34.7 percent from the field, but did connect on 17-of-39 three-point attempts, and made 32-of-41 free throws. USCA connected on 47.8 percent of its shots, but was only 11-of-28 from long range, and the Pacers hit 17-of-27 charity tosses.